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Fitchburg bridge renamed for Mayor George Bourque (VIDEO)

By Alana Melanson, amelanson@sentinelandenterprise.com

Updated:
10/26/2013 08:55:56 AM EDT

William R. Bourque, of Fitchburg, speaks at the podium about his father, former Fitchburg Mayor George J. Bourque, as several dignitaries stand by. From left are state Rep. Harold Naughton, Rep. Dennis Rosa and Rep. Stephen DiNatale, Bourque's brother, Robert L. Bourque of Townsend, state Sen. Jennifer Flanagan, and another Bourque brother, George J. II. All were present for the dedication of the Kimball Street bridge being renamed to the George J. Bourque Memorial Bridge, Friday in Fitchburg. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / BRETT CRAWFORD

FITCHBURG -- Family, friends, former colleagues, and local and state officials gathered on Kimball Street Friday morning to celebrate the naming of the George J. Bourque Memorial Bridge, saying the former mayor and state representative was "one of Fitchburg's most dedicated public servants."

"I know he helped many people and he cared deeply for the well-being of this community," said state Rep. Stephen DiNatale, who authored the bill to rename the bridge. "His public service to the residents of Fitchburg would span a period of 34 years, ladies and gentlemen.

Former Fitchburg Mayor George J. Bourque's wife, Emelia Bourque of Fitchburg, holds a copy of the George J. Bourque Memorial Bridge sign along with her sons, from left, George, William and Robert.

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He described Bourque as a "warm, generous, engaging person" and the founder of Fitchburg Civic Days, a July 4 tradition that has continued for more than 50 years.

Bourque moved to Fitchburg from Nova Scotia as an infant and remained in the city for the rest of his life, raising five children with his wife, Emelia, 98. Before serving four terms as mayor, he served on the city's Parks Commission and City Council for several years. As mayor, he led a robust school-building plan that saw the creation of Crocker and Reingold elementary schools and Memorial Middle School.

He later went on to serve 11 terms (22 years) as a state representative.

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Bourque's contributions to the city are numerous, securing state and federal funding for many projects, including the rebuilding of the Fitchburg Public Library, Fitchburg State University facilities, and 10 elderly and low-income housing projects.

Bourque died May 2, 2011, at age 98.

Department of Public Works Commissioner Lenny Laakso, speaking on behalf of Mayor Lisa Wong, gave credit to ET&L Construction for its work on the bridge and finishing it a year and a half ahead of schedule. He said it is fitting for it to be named for Bourque given his dedication to serving Fitchburg citizens in so many roles over the years.

Laakso said he and others have been inspired by Bourque's mark on the city, especially with his contributions to the school system -- his own five children attended schools built by Bourque -- and the annual Civic Days tradition.

"All these things made a lasting impression on me, and they instilled a sense of pride in Fitchburg's citizens young and old," he said. "To me, this is the legacy of George Bourque."

State Sen. Jennifer Flanagan, of Leominster, who co-sponsored DiNatale's bill, thanked Bourque's family, including three of his children in attendance, all of whom received additional signs to take with them after the unveiling.

"You shared your family member with us and there is no greater gift that we could ever receive from you, but to have his service in the great and general court and to the city of Fitchburg," Flanagan said.

"It's with heartfelt thanks that you as a community came to honor my dad, his glasses, with his vision, that Fitchburg will continue in a great direction," said Bourque's son, William R. Bourque, of Fitchburg.

Another son, Robert L. Bourque, of Townsend, spoke of the emotion that would also come to his father's voice when addressing the city, showing his deep commitment to the community and its people.

"I can hear him saying right now, 'It takes a team,'" he said. "It was always about a team -- and the team that put this day together, to pass the Legislature, that was necessary, and I thank all of you on behalf of my father, for being part of that team."

"Thank you for all being here," said another son, George J. Bourque II of Gardner. "My father would be greatly honored."

"What a great honor for Dad," said Emelia Bourque.

Deputy Police Chief Philip Kearns recalled Bourque as a good friend to the Fitchburg Police Department and law enforcement in general.

State Reps. Dennis Rosa of Leominster and Harold Naughton of Clinton, who just announced his candidacy for state attorney general, also attended.

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